Page 56 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL10

The Indonesian fashionista has received wide recognition from the media as well as governmental organisations. Since 2008, she has been invited to international fashion shows including Britain, France, Germany, Dubai and Kuwait. The Melbourne Islamic Eid Festival in Australia was the first catwalk where she displayed her avant-garde designs for the global public. In her home country, her fashions is regularly displayed at Jakarta Fashion Week. CNN was one of the media outlets that publicized her story. In the interview, she emphasized her idea of combining modern fashion with religious tradition.“Islam has rules for fashion design like not too tight, too bright or too transparent. But we’ re in Indonesia now, not in the Middle East where such female attire might be too extreme. I want to be somethingdifferent – breaking the rules yet still on the line.“Our trends have changed but the hijab is still a hijab. If we wear hijab by basing it on the rules, not from the heart, someday you’ re going to open it because it’s not your choice. Many people use the hijab when they’re going to hajj or after fasting in Ramadan and that’s not a good way to wear it. You have to wear it from your heart. You just need to mix faith in Islam with the fashion.”Since Indonesia is the most populous Islamic country, where the majority of women see headscarves as a part of life, the hijab is part of fashion and a rapidly growing business. Once her brand gained broader recognition, Ms Dian thrived in the market and diversified with the brands DP Bride, DP Men, DP Kids or even DP Hajj, meant for pilgrimage. Several branches of Dian PelangiOur trends have “changed but the hijab is still a hijab. You have to wear it from your heart. You just needto mix faith in Islam with the fashion”54 Elite+